Autumn hair care: How to adapt your routine as the temperature drops
There’s something in the air when autumn arrives. A crispness, a dryness, a change that hair senses before we’ve even had time to change our wardrobe. Dry indoor air, cold winds and snug hats create a combination that wears on the hair in a way summer never does.
But autumn is also one of the most beautiful seasons of the year for hair care. With the right adjustments to your routine, your hair can actually feel better now than it does during the summer months.
What autumn does to your hair
As temperatures drop and we start heating the air indoors, humidity decreases. Dry air draws moisture from the outermost layer of the hair shaft, making the hair more prone to frizz, static electricity and breakage. Hats and scarves create friction against the hair and can cause mechanical stress, especially along the hairline.
The scalp reacts too. Just as skin can become drier and more sensitive during autumn and winter, the scalp can become irritated by temperature changes and dry air.
The Editor’s Note: Static electricity in the hair is a classic autumn problem. It occurs when the hair is dry and friction against clothing and hats creates an electrical charge. The solution isn’t an anti-static product but moisture—a well-hydrated hair shaft naturally dissipates the charge.
Adjust your routine
Moisturise more. Autumn and winter require more moisture than summer. Use conditioner every time you wash your hair and give it a deeper treatment every other week. FOAM’s Dreamy Hair conditioner bar works excellently as an intensive treatment: work it into damp hair, leave it on for five minutes and rinse.
Protect against friction. Replace your cotton hat with one lined with silk.
Massage your scalp regularly. Scalp massage stimulates blood circulation and counteracts the dryness caused by cold air. Two to three minutes each time you wash your hair is enough.
Let your hair rest. Autumn is a good time to reduce heat styling. Blow-dry at a lower temperature, let your hair air-dry when you can and give it a break from straighteners and curling irons.
Autumn doesn’t require a dramatic overhaul of your routine. It only requires a little more care and a little more attentiveness to what your hair is telling you.